Grand Canyon - a journey from rim to river and back

Grand Canyon National Park.  For me, a look over the rim from above insights such feelings of vastness that I couldn't really comprehend it.  I had toyed with the idea of hiking from the rim to the river and back for quite some time, but I finally decided that I was up for it.  Once I confirmed that I could get a bed in the dorm at the bottom of the canyon, I set off Sunday afternoon for my hike into the great chasm.  I hiked 6.8 miles down the South Kaibab Trail to the river.

First view of the Colorado River, about 2/3 of the way down the trail:

A view of some of the many, many switchbacks I descended to the bottom:

I don't know what this plant is, but it makes me smile:

More switchbacks down to the river:

About 3 hours after I started, I reached the suspension bridge going across the Colorado River:

After a night's sleep at the bottom of the canyon in a dorm, I set off on the trail Monday morning at 5:15 am.  I headed up the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail, which is slightly less steep than my previous day's hike, but is an additional two miles long (9.3 miles one way), and an elevation gain of approximately 4,460 feet (dwarfing my Guadalupe Peak hike).

I didn't take too many pictures on the way up, but here's one of the very feisty squirrels along the trail.  One of them actually jumped in my backpack to steal some food while I was sitting right next to it.

While I never truly doubted I would make it back to the top of the canyon, there were certainly times where I thought I had made a stupid decision taking it on.  I started to feel fairly ill 3 miles from the top, and ended up taking over an hour to cool my body down and choke down some food.  Also, thanks to a very friendly family who I met at the dorm the night before, my supply of gatorade was replenished, and I think this was essential to my success.  Once I felt better, I slowly started back up the trail.

In the end, it took me nearly nine hours, but I finally arrived at the top of the canyon!!

It was the most strenuous hike I've ever been on, but I'm glad I saw it through and accomplished it.  I think it truly is the best way to really appreciate the canyon if you can muster the strength and determination it takes to get to the bottom and back.

To celebrate, I splurged on a cheap motel room for the night and a steak for dinner.  =)